Allurion Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ALUR), a company dedicated to ending obesity, today announced the publication of a study on the safety and effectiveness of the Allurion Program in adolescents.
In the study, 91 adolescents between 15 and 17 years-old with average body mass index (BMI) of 35.6 received the Allurion Balloon and the Allurion Program delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including a trained nutrition professional with adolescent experience. Average weight reduction was 13.1% four months after placement, with no serious adverse events or early device removals.
Obesity among adolescents is a growing concern. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and adolescent obesity has quadrupled. These trends are particularly concerning as living with obesity in childhood or adolescence can lead to obesity-related complications in adulthood.
Prior research has shown that while bariatric surgical procedures have become a more common treatment in adults living with obesity, patients, families, and providers are hesitant about the use of these invasive procedures in adolescents. In addition, earlier this year, the United States Preventive Services Task Force concluded that the evidence for the use of pharmacotherapy—including GLP-1 drugs—was inadequate in children and adolescents.5 This study affirms Allurion’s belief that the Allurion Balloon represents a novel, non-invasive, safe, and effective treatment option for adolescents which can allow for earlier intervention in the treatment of obesity.
ALUR shares backpedaled four cents, or 6%, to 58.6 cents.